Isabel walked into the ladies' room, and she pulled out a small towel from her purse, using it to dry up the spots Sebastian had missed when he was cleaning her up.Luckily for her, the stains of the wine weren't obvious, because of the color of her dress.She just had to wait for it to dry up a little, before returning to the hall.It pained her that she was missing Sebastian's speech, but she'd no other option.The longer she sat there, the colder and more uncomfortable she became.After dying herself the best way she could, she was about to return to the hall, when it crossed her mind to call Brittany and know if the boys have gone to bed.The lady did not pick the call until the third ring, and she was greeted by a sleepy voice."I'm sorry to wake you up. I just wanted to know if the boys are still awake." "No need to apologize, Ms. Hadid. The boys have long to bed." The lady replied to her,"They went to bed shortly after you left with Mr. Bernadotte.""Okay....thank you, Brittan
Amelia's eyes fluttered open, and she was met with the warm, golden light of dawn streaming through the windows. She stretched, feeling a sense of languid contentment wash over her.As she turned onto her side, she was greeted by the sight of Roark's peaceful face. He was sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling with each slow breath. Amelia's heart swelled with affection as she gazed at him.She couldn't help but think back to last night, to the intimacy they'd shared and the way Roark had shifted into his cougar form after, scaring her half to death.It had been a wild, scary but exhilarating experience, and Amelia felt grateful to have been a part of it all.It surprised her that she'd bravely approached the ferocious beast, in an attempt to comfort the man.Too took the bold risk, almost endangering herself, just to save the man.It was a selfless thing to do, yet very dangerous.Mrs. Adeline wouldn't be pleased to hear the news.What if things had gone sideways?What if he'
Meanwhile Enid was sleeping alone, when she heard an unusual sound outside her bedroom.She woke up with a start, her eyes roaming around the room frantically. She was alone in the bedroom, because Roark had insisted Amelia spend the night with him.They've been sleeping together since the past few days, and it was because of the man.Enid got up from the bed and she tiptoed to the door, placing her ear against it.She expected to hear the sound again, but was met his silence.An eery silence.She was aboit returning to bed, when she heard the sound again. This time, it was from a distance. Downstairs.Someone was out there.Curious to find out who it is, she carefully opened the door, then was peeked outside.The light in the hallway were on, which means someone had passed. She stepped outside the bedroom, casting all fears behind her, and she closed the door gently, so it doesn't creak or make any sound.She recognized the scent lingering in the hallway, as she sauntered past Ro
Sebastian's face turned beet red with rage as he listened to Isabel's account of her encounter with Damien. It took great effort to have her speak up, as she was sobbing. His eyes blazed with fury, when she did, and his jaw clenched so tightly that it seemed to be carved from granite.His heart was pumping with unexplainable fury."How dare he," Sebastian growled, his voice low and menacing,"I'll kill him. I will fucking kill that bastard."Isabel placed a calming hand on Sebastian's arm, but he shook it off. He was beyond consolation, seeing her in such state and hearing what Damien has tried to do to her.The bastard had tried to touch what belonged to him."I should've ended that bastard when I had the opportunity to. I should've killed then, saving myself all this disrespect." "What did he say to you?" Sebastian demanded, his eyes burning with intensity.Isabel hesitated, clearly not wanting to relive the experience. But Sebastian's gaze was unyielding, and she knew she had to
Days later, Amelia and Enid were with Mrs. Adeline outside the cottage, when suddently, the woman stopped what she was doing, informing them that Roark and Kane were coming."How did she---""It doesn't matter, they're coming."While they were adjusting themselves, a knock came on the door door, which stole all their attention.Indeed, it was both the men and they were dressed, almost as of they were going somewhere."Good day, Mr. Thrones." Mrs. Adeline was first to greet the man, and although he responded, his attention was on Amelia, while Kane was trying so hard to look away from Enid, who was shamelessly throwing him flirtatious smile."Mrs. Adeline, Kane and I are headed into town." Roark's information shocked the three women, but none of them said anything, except to look at each other in surprise."Mr. Thrones---""Don't worry, Mrs. Adeline, it's just to run some errands and we'll be back soon." He explained to the woman who tried to express her concern at the newest developme
On their way home, Kane drove with Enid, while Roark and Amelia drove the new car.At first, Amelia wasn't comfortable being alone with him, and even offered Enid to join them, but the latter blatantly refused."Go, you drive with your man, while I shoot my shot at his hotshot of a driver."Left with no other choice, she followed Roark into the new car.Despite knowing how to wear seatbelt, he insisted on wearing hers for her, and wouldn't stop asking her if she was alright."I'm fine, Roark. Going faster than you are now, wouldn't hurt me, neithee will it cause any harm to the car, if that is what you are bothered about." She told him for the umpteenth, noticing how slowly he drove, while Kane and Enid were ahead of them by a few cars."Driving isn't my favorite thing to do." He told her,"I'd rather---""Spend your time locked in your study, reading, than go anywhere. I know that already." She completed for him, barely looking his way."I love to read. That is a part of who I am."S
The next day, Damien was in his office, when his secretary, Evelyn, called him to inform him that some officers were requesting to see him."Why?" He asked the lady,"They won't say, sir. They've insisted on seeing you even after I told them that you're busy."Damien's forehead creased into a frown,"Okay. Let them in." He told Evelyn, before ending the call.What could they've to tell him that they'd to come to his office?He thought to himself, patiently waiting for them to come into his office.It must be pretty serious.Seconds later, the door of his office opened and two members walked inside.Although they were dressed in mufti, he could tell they were officers. Their demeanor gave them away, especially as one was looking around his furbished office like he was searching for the slightest clue to an ongoing investigation."Good day, sir." He greeted the men, getting up from his seat and offering a handshake to the man in front, whom he suspected to be the superior, based on
After Isabel finished at the precinct, giving her statement to Detective Jonas, who promised her that they would look into the matter, she asked Jarvis to drive them to the hospital."Ms. Hadid, are you not feeling well?" Jarvis asked her from the driver's side, concern written on his face as he looked at her through the rearview mirror, while Fowler was seated quietly beside him."I am, Jarvis.""Then, why are you going to the hospital?" He probed, revving the car's engine to life."My niece is sick and I have to go see her." She told him, looking outside the car."I'm sorry." He mouthed, reversing the car out of the parking lot.Fowler didn't say anything to either of them, until they arrived at their destination, about an hour later."Mr. Jarvis, you should stay here and keep watch, while I and Ms. Hadid and I go inside." He told the man, then turned to Isabel,"How long do we intend to stay, Ms. Hadid?""Just a brief visit, Fowler. Did anything happen?" She asked the woman, who
Sebastian and Isabel returned to New York about three weeks later, after Damien was charged for violating his probation, kidnappings and attempted murder.He was tried in court where although he pled non-guilty, he was sentenced to a fifteen years imprisonment with no possibility of an early bail.Damien was devastated by the judge's sentence, and tried everything he could to shorten his sentence, but the judge remained absolute."You not only defied the law, but you constituted more crimes, Mr. Giddorti. No matter who you are, you should be made to face the full consequences of your action." The judge told him,"By the order of the law, I sentence you to fifteen years in the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility, Aberdeen, Washington."Sebastian and Isabel were present in court when he was tried and the former was overjoyed, knowing that his biggest rival was down.Shakira did not make it in the hospital, thus escaped the jail terms. With Sebastian's help, her body was interred
With the detective permission, Sebastian waited until after the Ob/gyn finished her assessment on Isabel, and assured them that their baby was alright, before going to see Shakira.But, before leaving for the ICU, he'd to speak to Deputy Rivera. The man had come to speak to them, concerning getting official statements.Sebastian and Isabel gave theirs first, then Moses gave his. And to the man's conviction, it tallied with the statement Pendel had given them.Thereafter, he called the detective aside, while Sebastian waited with Isabel."What do you think they're discussing about?" She asked him,"You need not to worry about it, Isabel. I will take care of everything."Sebastian told her like he always did, then turned to Moses who was seated farther away from them, asking him,"Did you later put a call across to Pierre and Mr. Gonzalez?""Yes, sir. I have done that, and explained the situation to them. Mr. Gonzalez is on his way."Sebastian nodded with a proud smile, squeezing Is
Sebastian refused to go see the doctor,no matter how much the doctor begged him."I don't care if her insides are spilling out of her body through her mouth, I do not want to lay eyes on that bitch, else I would expedite the process of sending her to hell." He spat with disdain,"She brought this on herself and she nearly killed my fiancée had I not intervened early. Tell her that I wish her nothing but the worst death ever, and I pray she goes to hell after that."The doctor was flabbergasted.It was a miracle that she made it out of her unconscious state, after they managed to remove the bullets from the vulnerable locations she was shot at.However, he knew that she wouldn't make it past the morning. She did lost a lot of blood and one of the bullet had severed her anterior spinal artery and her spleen.She was as good as death, but somehow, was given a second chance, which wouldn't last up to six hours.She was on her deathbed and has requested to see the man. He'd personally a
Sebastian's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in his surroundings. The bright morning light streaming through the hospital window made him squint and look away from the window.He was met with an unfamiliar ceiling and the sterile smell of a hospital room. His mind was foggy, and his body felt heavy, as if an invisible force was weighing on him.As he tried to sit up, a jolt of pain shot through his head, making him wince."Fuck!" His hand instinctively went to his temple, but it was restrained by a cold metal cuff attached to the bed frame. He tugged at the cuff, but it wouldn't budge.Confusion and panic began to set in, but they settled the second realization dawned on him.The memories of the event of the night before came crashing on him like a blizzard on a snowy night and he lwt out a loud sigh. He couldn't believe that he was being held like a criminal.Sebastian Bernadotte, CEO of Bernadotte and Sterling Groups, was being cuffed to a hospital bed like a common crimin
The first sight that shocked Sebastian as they were led out of the house, was seeing Jarvis's lifeless body on the ground, near the entrance.His immediate thought was Isabel, as he watched the body.Is she safe?God, let nothing happen to her. He prayed within himself.Nothing had better happen to her and his child, else he would kill Damien himself, spending the rest of his life in jail."Sir!" One of the men outside called, rushing towards them,"Speak to me, Howard. What have you got?" The man holding Sebastian probed him."Sir, so far we've rounded five casualties" He informed the man,"Make that seven!" Someone hollered from the side of the house, stealing all their attention.Pendel emerged from the darkness, and from behind him were two armed men."There are two casualties at the other side of the house. Caucasian armed male and female."One of the men shoved Pendel, who was cuffed top, pushing him to where Sebastian and Damien were standing."We received report about a h
Meanwhile, Sebastian and Pendel relentlessly went after Damien and Shakira who were trying to escape through the back."Sir, Giddorti is hiding in there, and I think he's out of bullets " Pendel informed Sebastian, who was hiding by the other side of the door,"Cover me, while I go in.""No...go after Valande and the man, I will take care of Giddorti myself." Sebastian told him instead,"I think it is time we put an end to all this. Me and him.""But, sir....""Go, and make sure Shakira doesn't escape.""Okay, sir."Pendel left immediately, following Sebastian's order, while he tucked his gun into the back of his pant."Giddorti, I know you are in there and I sure know that you are out of bullets." Sebastian began, taking steady steps into the room,"I can perceive the nauseating smell of your fear from here, you son of a bitch." He scoffed,"I might be a bastard, Bernadotte, but I am not as cowardly as you are. You allowed another man take the fall for your sins, when you should be
Moses and Isabel have walked halfway through, when suddenly, a light flashed through the darkness, from a near distance.Moses was immediately on alert, raising his gun for action."Stay close, Ms. Hadid. We have an unwelcomed guest ahead of us." He told Isabel, slowing his step, so as not to alert whoever the other person was.With his one hand on the trigger, and the other holding Isabel's hand, they carefully approached the light.Suddenly, Moses stopped walking, which made Isabel stop too."Stay here and wait for me, Ms. Hadid."Without questioning, Isabel waited in the spot he asked her to, hiding behind two tall trees."Get down, and no matter what you hear, do not come out until I ask you to." He warned in a low whisper,"And once I tell you to run, you run as fast as your legs can take you." He dug his free hand into his pocket, pulling out a car key, which he handed to her."Head north, till you get to the main road. Take the Chevy and drive to wherever you can you'll be s
"Stay here and don't make any fucking sound!" Damien ordered Isabel in exasperation, bolting out of the bedroom as another gunshot fired in the air.He slammed the door shut, leaving Isabel confused, and shaking with terror.What could be happening out there?Were they under attack?Despite her trembling limbs and pounding heartbeat, she got up from the bed, to go see what was happening. Just as she apprroached the window, another shot was fired, louder than the previous ones.Isabel's body reverberated with trepidation, causing an immediate abortion of the idea in her head.She thought of hiding somewhere to save herself, but a crazy thought flashed her mind instantly.Escape, Isabel! You should be using this opportunity to escape from this hellhole.Her instinct screamed at her, while shots continue to fly outside, instilling fear into her.If you think anyone is coming to save you, then you are dreaming. You are responsible for the safety of your baby and yourself, and this is
Meanwhile, Isabel had almost dozed off, when she was awoken by the sound of running engine approaching the house from a distance.Her eyes opened and she listened keenly as the car drove closer to the house, lights from its headlights fairly illuminating the bedroom, through the window.Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the house, and its engine quieten down. For some reason, Isabel's heart was beating crazily.Not because she was scared, but because she didn't want to face them, knowing either of them would come to check up on her, to be certain that she haven't escaped. She didn't want to see their disgusting faces, Shakira's especially.A couple of hours ago, she was faced with the most shocking and unexpected revelation, aside being abducted.Sebastian wasn't the mastermind behind her kidnap, like she'd earlier suspected.It wasn't him. In fact, he might have no idea about it, except that Austin have informed him.Instead, it was Damien Giddorti and Sebastian's ex-fi